JP4155008B2 - Portable information terminal and character input method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable wireless terminal using a method that allows a kana character input operation to be performed simply and quickly by narrowing the movable range of a finger and reducing the amount of movement when inputting kana characters.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional portable wireless terminal capable of inputting characters is mainly configured such that the numeric keypad is at the lower part in the long side direction of the casing and the cursor key is at the upper part in the long side direction of the casing.
[0003]
When creating a mail or the like, characters from line A to line W are designated in correspondence with numeric keys 1 to 9,0. For example, if the key “1” corresponding to the “A” line is pressed once, “A” is displayed, and if it is subsequently pressed four times, “O” can be displayed.
[0004]
In this case, for example, in the case of an input in which characters on the same line such as “blue (ao)” continue, the user first inputs “a”, then moves to the cursor key of the terminal and presses the cursor to the right. The operation is repeated from the operation with the numeric keypad at the lower position to the operation with the cursor movement key at the upper position.
[0005]
In another conventional character input method using a numeric keyboard, each kana character is assigned to each numeric key, and when each key is pressed once, it starts from the vowel “U” stage.
[0006]
Then, by selecting the up / down operation of the selection switch provided separately, the “a” stage and the “a” stage are displayed in the up state, and the “e” stage and the “o” stage are displayed in the down state. There is. The selection switch is provided with a cursor function, and has a means for moving the cursor to the selected character in correcting the character. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-159945 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described prior art, when the operation is performed by combining the cursor key arranged at the upper part and the numeric keypad arranged at the lower part, the movable range of the thumb is inevitably wide when performing the thumb input. There is a problem that it takes time and effort to support with the left hand or to carry the operation from the lower part of the terminal to support the upper part even when operating with the right hand alone.
[0009]
The present invention relates to a portable wireless terminal capable of inputting characters mainly using a numeric keypad by narrowing the movable range of the thumb generated when the portable wireless terminal is operated. Is to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The portable information terminal of the present invention has a display unit capable of displaying kana characters and a cursor, and a key input detection unit capable of detecting the pressing direction on the bottom surface, and moves the cursor in the pressing direction and inputs a vowel. A numeric keypad composed of an input unit and a plurality of consonant input units for inputting consonants, a vowel by designating the number of times the vowel input unit is pressed, and a consonant by designating the consonant input unit. A control unit that designates the kana character, the control unit subsequently presses the vowel input unit in a predetermined direction, and presses the vowel input unit a predetermined number of times. Is received, the cursor is moved in the predetermined direction, and the next kana character is designated from the same consonant as the designated kana character and the vowel designated by the number of times the vowel input unit is pressed. It is characterized in.
[0011]
In the character input method of the present invention, a key input detection unit capable of detecting the pressing direction is arranged on the bottom surface, and the cursor is moved in the pressing direction and the vowel input unit for inputting a vowel by the number of times of pressing, A portable terminal for designating a kana character by depressing a consonant input unit for inputting, and after the kana character is designated, further depressing the vowel input unit in a predetermined direction and a predetermined number of times When a press is detected, the cursor is moved in the predetermined direction, a vowel corresponding to the predetermined number of times is designated, and a kana character corresponding to the same consonant as the designated kana character is designated.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit system of a portable wireless terminal in a portable embodiment of the present invention.
[0022]
Referring to FIG. 1, a portable wireless terminal 1 includes an antenna 2, an RF processing unit 3, a baseband processing unit 4, a speaker 5, a buzzer 6, a microphone 7, a control unit 8, and an input unit 9. The display unit 10 includes a battery 11 and a storage circuit 12.
[0023]
The RF processing unit 3 performs RF processing on the received signal, demodulates it, and converts it into a received baseband signal. Further, the baseband signal for transmission is modulated, converted into a transmission signal, and transmitted to the antenna 2.
[0024]
The baseband processing unit 4 generates an audio signal by combining the received baseband signal and outputs the audio signal to the speaker 5 to reproduce the audio. Of the received baseband signal from the RF processing unit 3, data such as an image other than sound and mail is read by the control unit 8 and output to the display unit 10 and a storage circuit 12 described later. The baseband processing unit 4 encodes the voice input from the microphone 7 and generates a transmission baseband signal. Data other than the voice is supplied from the control unit 8 to perform necessary processing, and the baseband processing unit 4 to output to the RF processing unit 3.
[0025]
The control unit 8 controls the entire mobile phone including the series of transmission / reception processes described above. The memory circuit 12 records a system, a program, and data necessary for the operation and control of the mobile phone.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the portable wireless terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of the numeric keypad of FIG.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 2, the portable wireless terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a cursor key 9c for moving the cursor up and down, left and right, an input unit 9 including a numeric keypad 9d and other keys, a display unit 10, And an antenna 2.
[0028]
The numeric keypad 9d functions as a numeric keypad when inputting a normal telephone number. However, if the role is divided from the viewpoint of the character input section, a consonant input section 9b for inputting a kana character input consonant and a vowel Is composed of two types of vowel input unit 9a.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 3, a central vowel input unit 9a and eight consonant input units 9b surrounding the vowel input unit 9a are arranged. As shown in FIG. 3, each consonant input unit 9f-9n is a numeric keypad. Assigned in response to.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 4A, the vowel input unit 9a has a configuration in which a key input sensing unit 13 including a plurality of pressure sensors is arranged on the bottom surface, and adds a cursor movement function in addition to vowel character input. Thus, when inputting characters, the time from the numeric keypad to the cursor key 9c can be saved. The vowel input is performed by strongly pressing the vowel input unit 9a, and the cursor movement is performed by lightly pressing the end of the key.
[0031]
The key input sensing unit 13 is for sensing which part of the vowel input unit 9a is pressed by the operator. When the operator strongly presses the center of the vowel input unit 9a, as shown in FIG. The pressure sensor is turned on and characters are input. If the end of the vowel input unit 9a is pressed, the pressure sensor in that direction is turned on, and the cursor can be moved in that direction under the control of the control unit (FIG. 4C).
[0032]
In FIGS. 4A to 4C, the detection of pressing for character input and the detection of the pressing direction for moving the cursor are performed by the same pressure sensor. It may be separate from the direction detection sensor.
[0033]
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG.
[0034]
The vowel input unit 9a corresponds to the input of all five vowels “a, i, u, e, o”, and “a” → “i” → under the control of the control unit 8 in FIG. The input content can be changed from “u” → “e” → “o”.
[0035]
The nine keys of the consonant input unit 9b shown in FIG. 3 include lines other than line A, line K (k), line S (s), line T (t), line n (n), line C (h). , Ma line (m), Ya line (y), La line (r), Wa line (w) are allocated.
[0036]
In addition, the muddy sound is determined as “Ga line (g), The line (z), Da line (d), Ba line (b)”, and the semi-turbid sound is determined as “Par line (p)”. One row is set, and clear sound, muddy sound, and semi-muddy sound for each line are made to correspond to one key, and every time the key is pressed, it can be changed from clear sound to muddy sound to semi-turbid sound. The setting and operation of each key described above are all performed under the control of the control unit 8 in FIG.
[0037]
This configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the 9b consonant input unit of FIG.
[0038]
Referring to the consonant input unit 9b in FIG. 3, the sets of input consonants described above are arranged around the vowel input unit 9a. One set of consonant inputs is selected by the number of times each button is pressed, similar to the vowel input unit 9a. For example, in the moth line and moth line input unit 9f of FIG. 3, the moth line and ga line are one set. When inputting the moth line, the input unit 9f is pressed once to input the ga line. Sometimes you can select it by pressing it once more.
[0039]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
[0040]
In the case of normal kana character input, since the kana character configuration is “consonant + vowel”, first, the corresponding consonant part is pressed from the consonant input parts 9f to 9n in FIG. 3 (in FIG. 5A). f2). At this time, as explained in the configuration of the embodiment, by pressing the same consonant part many times, it is possible to change from clear sound → turbid sound → semi-turbid sound.
Once the necessary consonant is determined, the corresponding vowel is then determined from the vowel input unit 9a of FIG. The vowel input unit 9a changes from “a” → “i” → “u” → “e” → “o” each time the key is pressed, and therefore, the vowel input unit 9a is pushed by the number of vowels corresponding to the character to be input. (F3 in FIG. 5A).
[0041]
When the input of the desired character string is completed, the character conversion and determination key is pressed to finish the operation (f5 in FIG. 5A).
[0042]
Here, specific input examples will be described with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. For example, when inputting “ki”, the consonant input unit 9f in FIG. 3 is pressed once. As a result of this operation, “k” is displayed on the display unit 10, and a waiting state for input of a line is entered (FIG. 6A). Next, the vowel input unit 9a is pushed as many times as necessary. In this example, since the vowel is “i”, the vowel input unit 9a is pressed twice. Here, the display unit 10 displays “ka” by first pressing the vowel input unit 9a once (FIG. 6B), and “ki” is displayed by pressing the vowel input unit again (FIG. 6 (b)). FIG. 6 (c)).
[0043]
When inputting “gi”, first, the consonant input unit 9f shown in FIG. 3 is pressed once. At this time, “k” is displayed on the display unit 10 and a waiting state for waiting for a line input is entered (FIG. 7A). Subsequently, when the consonant input unit 9b shown in FIG. 3 is pressed again, “g” is displayed on the display unit 10 and a state of waiting for the input of the gas line is entered (FIG. 7B). Next, the vowel input unit 9a is pressed twice in the same manner as inputting “ki”. In the first time, “GA” is displayed on the display unit 10 (FIG. 7C), and “GI” is displayed by pressing the second time (FIG. 7D).
[0044]
In conventional character input using a cellular phone, for example, when characters on the same line are continuously input like “Kaki”, it is necessary to move the cursor indicating the input position during the input. However, in this example, since the key does not overlap with “consonant + vowel + consonant + vowel”, there is no need to move the cursor.
[0045]
Next, input of a character followed by a vowel such as “Ao” will be described. When vowels are continuously input as in this example, the input method described so far is different. As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the method of inputting vowels continuously requires the characters to be specified continuously with the same button, so that the cursor movement operation (f8) between the vowels and the vowels is performed. )Is required.
[0046]
Here, the input method of “AO” will be specifically described. In this example, in order to input the first vowel “a”, the vowel input unit 9a in FIG. 3 is pressed once (FIG. 8A). If the vowel continues, you need to move the cursor.
[0047]
In the conventional mobile phone, the finger must be released from the numeric keypad input and moved to the cursor movement key for the cursor movement operation. However, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, since the vowel input unit 9a has a cursor moving function, time for moving the finger can be saved. In other words, after inputting the first vowel, you can move the cursor without releasing your finger (Fig. 8 (b)), and then input the second vowel (Fig. 8 (c)). It is. All the operations by the operations of the respective input units are performed under the control of the control unit 8 in FIG.
[0048]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the case of the second embodiment, in addition to continuous vowel input, the consonant code is fixed until the next consonant input unit 9a is pressed by further pressing the consonant input unit 9b.
[0049]
By pressing the consonant input unit 9b, the consonant code is determined, and then by pressing the vowel input unit 9a, the consonant code remains fixed even after the desired character is displayed. Then, if the cursor is shifted with the cursor key 9c as it is, the cursor under the displayed character is shifted to the right by one character. This shifted portion is displayed with a Roman character corresponding to the consonant code automatically fixed.
[0050]
For the Roman characters displayed at the cursor portion, a desired kana character can be displayed simply by pressing the vowel input part.
[0051]
A specific input example will now be described with reference to FIG. For example, when “Kaki” is input, the consonant input unit 9 f shown in FIG. 3 is pressed once. By this operation, “k” is displayed on the display unit, and a waiting line input waiting state is entered (FIG. 9A). Next, the character “ka” is displayed by pressing the vowel input unit 9a once (FIG. 9B). Subsequently, when inputting “ki”, the consonant code other than the consonant input unit 9f is not pressed, so that the consonant code remains “k”. As a result, when the cursor is shifted to the right by one character with the cursor in the vowel input unit 9a without pressing any other consonant input unit, “k” is automatically displayed in the adjacent space (FIG. 9 ( c)).
[0052]
Therefore, the consonant input operation can be omitted, and the character “ki” can be displayed by simply pressing the vowel input unit 9a twice (FIG. 9D). All the operations by the operations of the respective input units are performed under the control of the control unit 8 in FIG.
[0053]
In this way, in addition to continuous vowel input, even when a continuous character string of the same consonant is input, it is possible to input without moving the finger from the vowel input unit 9a with the cursor function. .
[0054]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first and second embodiments, when the consonant input unit 9b is first pressed as a Roman character input, the consonant of the character to be input at that time is displayed in the Roman character, and subsequently, the vowel input unit 9a is pressed several times. Thus, the number of designated consonant lines for the number of times of pressing has been determined. On the other hand, in the third embodiment of the present invention, at the time when a consonant is input, “A” level display corresponding to the consonant is performed instead of the Roman character corresponding to the consonant.
[0055]
Thereafter, the display of the consonant line is determined by pressing the vowel input unit 9a a plurality of times.
[0056]
For example, when inputting a consonant, not “k”, “t” or the like, but “ka”, “ta” and “a” level corresponding to each consonant are displayed.
Subsequently, when it is desired to display the “i” level and the “c” level corresponding to each consonant, the “a” level and the “c” level in the same row each time the vowel input unit 9a is pressed. Are displayed in order.
[0057]
Here, a specific input example will be described with reference to FIG. For example, when inputting “namako”, the consonant input unit 9i in FIG. 3 is pressed once. As a result of this operation, “NA” is displayed on the display unit, and a state of waiting for input of a line is entered (FIG. 10A). Next, the consonant input unit 9k in FIG. 3 is pressed once. With this operation, “ma” is displayed on the display unit. At the time before pressing this consonant input part 2k, an underbar is displayed as a garsol at the lower part of “NA”. Immediately after pressing a different consonant input part, the cursor is below the next character “MA”. (FIG. 10B). Subsequently, the consonant input unit 9f is pressed to display “ka” (FIG. 10C). At this point, the cursor is below the “ka”. When the vowel input unit 9a is pressed four times while waiting for the input of the “ka”, the desired character “ko” is displayed (FIG. 10D). ).
[0058]
In this way, when the consonant input unit 9b is first pressed, the “a” level display corresponding to the consonant is performed, and subsequently, by inputting the vowel, the “a” level is started, and the desired level is displayed. Characters can be displayed. This input method is an input method in Roman alphabet, but when inputting characters in the “A” stage, it is only necessary to press the consonant input part once, and even in the case of other vowels, there are other implementations. Compared to the example, vowel input can be reduced by one time, and character input efficiency can be improved.
[0059]
In this case, in the case of consecutive character strings of the same consonant, by shifting the cursor, the “a” level display of the same consonant is automatically made when the cursor is shifted to the right.
[0060]
In addition, the lowercase letters “nya”, “yu”, and “yo” are displayed with “ya” followed by “ya” by pressing the consonant input unit 9b corresponding to the “ya” line twice. The display may be made by pressing several times according to the vowel to be designated by the input unit 9a. In the case of “tsu”, every time the consonant input unit 9b corresponding to the “ta” line is pressed, one set of “ta”, “da”, and “tsu” is 1 instead of one set of “ta” and “da”. It is difficult to set and it is possible to make a repeated pattern.
[0061]
All the operations by the operations of the respective input units are performed under the control of the control unit 8 in FIG.
[0062]
The numeric keypad 9d having a cursor movement function may be anything as long as it is provided with a sensor for moving the cursor in addition to the key input detection unit 13. In this embodiment, the cursor key is arranged at the upper part in the long side direction, but the key having the function of moving the cursor does not necessarily take the form of arrangement at the upper part. Or you may or may not. Alternatively, the vowel input unit may include functions corresponding to all the cursor keys.
[0063]
The vowel input unit and consonant input unit 9b are as shown in FIGS. Although it is arranged on the numeric keypad 9d, it is not limited to this figure.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
By using the character input method of the portable wireless terminal of the present invention and the numeric keypad with a cursor movement function, the input efficiency is improved by reducing the burden on the finger when pressing a key or moving between keys when inputting characters. Can be achieved.
[0065]
Also, when inputting characters in the same consonant line, by fixing the consonant code, the cursor key in the vowel input part and the vowel input part can be used without taking the input form of “vowel” + “consonant”. It is possible to input the desired character of the next consonant of the same series.
[0066]
Furthermore, when only a vowel is input, if a consonant is specified by a consonant code, or if the cursor is moved to the right when a consonant code is specified, the vowel "A", or corresponding at that time Since it is displayed from the “A” level of the consonant, when it is desired to indicate the “A” level consonant when the consonant input part is pressed, the number of times of pressing can be reduced by one.
[0067]
As described above, according to the method of the present invention, it is easy to input characters with a small number of times of pressing, a narrower movable range of the finger, and a reduced burden on the finger.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit system of a portable wireless terminal. FIG. 2 is an external view of a portable wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing role assignment of numeric keys assigned to a consonant input unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
4A is a cross-sectional view of a numeric keypad having a cursor movement function, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing a portion where a key input sensing unit reacts during character input, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the location where the key input sensing part of this responds.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart (a) when performing normal character input in a vowel input unit having a cursor movement function, and a flowchart (b) when performing continuous vowel input.
FIGS. 6A to 6D are diagrams for explaining an operation when inputting “ki”.
7A to 7D are diagrams for explaining an operation when “gi” is input. FIG.
FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams for explaining an operation when vowels are continuously input. FIG.
FIGS. 9A to 9D are diagrams for explaining an operation when inputting “oyster”; FIG.
FIGS. 10A to 10D are diagrams for explaining an operation when “namako” is input;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable information terminal main body 2 Antenna 3 RF processing part 4 Baseband processing part 5 Speaker 6 Buzzer 7 Microphone 8 Control part 9 Input part 9a Vowel input part 9b Consonant input part 9c Cursor 9d Numeric keypad 9e Display part 9f Section 9g, line input section 9h, line input section 9i, line input section 9j, line C input section 9k, line input section 9l, line input section 9m, line input section 9n, line input section DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display part 11 Battery 12 Memory circuit 13 Key input detection part

Claims (8)

A display unit capable of displaying kana characters and a cursor;
A key input sensing unit that can sense the pressing direction is arranged on the bottom surface , and a vowel input unit that performs cursor movement in the pressing direction and input of vowels;
A numeric keypad composed of a plurality of consonant input units for inputting consonants;
A vowel is specified by the number of times the vowel input unit is pressed, a consonant is specified by pressing the consonant input unit, and a control unit that specifies a kana character according to the specification result,
The control unit, after designating the kana character, subsequently receives a press in a predetermined direction of the vowel input unit and a predetermined number of presses of the vowel input unit, performs a cursor movement in the predetermined direction, A portable information terminal that designates the next kana character from the same consonant as the designated kana character and a vowel designated by the number of times the vowel input unit is pressed . The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the control unit designates a clear sound, a muddy sound, and a semi-turbid sound according to the number of times the consonant input unit is pressed . Wherein, prior to specification of the vowels, portable information terminal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that displaying the said designated consonant on the display unit. 3. The portable information terminal according to claim 1 , wherein when the consonant is designated, the control unit displays a kana character corresponding to the step of the consonant on the display unit . 4.   A key input sensing unit that can sense the pressing direction is arranged on the bottom surface, and the cursor moves in the pressing direction, and pressing to the vowel input unit that inputs vowels by the number of pressings;
  By pressing the consonant input part that inputs consonants,
  A mobile device that specifies kana characters,
  After the kana character is designated, when the vowel input unit is further pressed in a predetermined direction and when a predetermined number of times are detected, the cursor is moved in the predetermined direction, and the vowel corresponding to the predetermined number of times is displayed. A character input method comprising: designating a kana character corresponding to the same consonant as the designated kana character.   The character input method according to claim 5, wherein a clear sound, a muddy sound, and a semi-turbid sound are designated according to the number of times the consonant input unit is pressed. The portable information terminal according to claim 5, wherein the designated consonant is displayed on the display unit before the vowel is designated. 7. The portable information terminal according to claim 5, wherein when a depression of the consonant input unit is detected, a kana character corresponding to the level of the consonant designated by the consonant input unit is displayed on a display unit.

Images